Missouri Senate President Pro Tem Tom Dempsey (R-St. Charles) is going to resign from office. In a statement Friday from Dempsey, he cites spending more time with family as his decision to step down.
“It is with mixed emotions that I announce that my time in the legislature has come to an end. I have been honored to serve. I have been blessed in more ways than I can count, and I leave owing a great debt of gratitude to my neighbors who have allowed me to serve,” says Dempsey. “However, my family is my highest priority, and in the proud tradition of the ‘citizen legislator’ the framers of our Republic envisioned, I now return to private life.”
Dempsey was first elected to the House in 2000, where he eventually became majority floor leader. He was elected to the Senate in 2007, becoming majority floor leader before being elected to serve as the Senate’s top leader.
Senators will elect a new leader from among their colleagues, possibly at the veto session in September.
He is the fifth lawmaker to resign in the past year. Dempsey’s resignation will be effective August 7.